Re: charming and farming; was RE: Avery v. Salatin is online
Dan Hook (guldann@ix.netcom.com)
Mon, 9 Aug 1999 11:37:02 -0400
John, Well I must agree with you again. We run a CSA on my husband's
"homestead". The farm his father bought in '49. Previously it was a dairy
farm, and has been a farm for 200+ years. It is 85 acres now I suppose in
early 1700s it was most of the street and was sold off through the 1800s. I
know part of the appeal of our CSA is the farm. Yes the "charming farm"
not the real farm. Yes they get a glimpse of real farming, but they don't
do the work so not really. But thats ok, we knew that. That is why our CSA
is pick-up only we are providing food for stomach and eyes. I'd have to say
just about everyone when they pickup says or looks at something other than
their veggies. Oh what a nice breeze you have up here (we are on a hill
with few houses to block the breeze), oh its so pretty, may I pat the
horses. The kids like the chickens and feed them grass. One kid's mother
told me her son is in love with us (he is only about 4), builds farms at
home from toys. Say he likes the farm cause we so nice (Thanks), I told him
two weeks ago he could name the 5 chickens, well his mother told me he has
talked of nothing else and is giving it deep thought. I can't wait to see
what names a 4 year old comes up with. I just found out one of my members
has worked in environmental law, conservation stuff etc. And he said if
ever I had a question about conservation etc he send me in the right
direction. He brought it up, I believe because he knows this place is
valuable for just being a farm. We are a bit of an oasis in an increasing
Suburban area. Which of course is the double edge sword of CSA. Customers
who do not have enough land (ok they could ditch the lawn), time or
knowledge to garden, but have the finances to "chance" an odd marketing
method. But there is not much farmy support around. Agways (farm store of
past) are now pretty much garden centers with a token farm thing on shelf.
No one can give any advice. So yes I agree, its one of the things I keep
saying to the guys, "if we get people to love our farm they will help us
protect it" I mean that in that if they are our customer that helps us stay
sustainable. And in the future if we need "muscle" to help us remain open
space we will have some spokes people. Thanks Beth
>>Still the question to me remains: how do we as members of the sustainable
ag
>>community educate the public at large in a way that is complete yet
concise?
>
>Be a charmer. Despite all, people are still charmed when they encounter
>the farm and community life of old. This is a huge asset. Media can
>manipulate the image but they can't deliver the reality of personally
>meaningful old-time down-home farm and community life. They own the media,
>but we own our lives.
>
>Live your life. As a farmer, as a charmer. Be (t)here now. Drink deep
>and often at the source: visit the farms. Deliver to the people by direct
>marketing, csa's, farm markets, b&b's. Keep on keepin' on.
>
>I'd like to visit Dennis's farm, if he has one. I've visited Joel's farm.
>It is charming. Does that sound patronizing? WRONG!!
>
>John Lozier
>harper for (c)harmony
>
>
>
>
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